The Manchester City manager heaped praise on De Bruyne but said “the situation is what it is”
Pep Guardiola has addressed the chances of Manchester City offering Kevin De Bruyne a contract extension, following the Belgian’s match-winning display against Wolves. The 54-year-old appeared to confirm that Manchester City will not attempt to reverse the decision to let the midfielder leave at the end of the season.
De Bruyne scored the only goal in City’s 1-0 victory over Wolves on Friday night, strengthening their bid for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. The goal continued a strong run of form from the midfielder, who has now scored twice in City’s last four matches.
It has been a reminder of what he can provide for the side, and what he has provided for them in the past 10 years. It has left many fans and pundits wondering whether the club should reconsider their decision to let him leave in the summer.
But Guardiola’s post-match comments suggested the door for a new contract remains firmly shut.
“Just thank you,” Guardiola told Sky Sports when asked what to say to the Belgian. “His contribution in the game against Crystal Palace when we were 2-0 down and he delivers and today the goal again. I’m happy that it is finishing that way, and we have one more game in the Etihad.”
The manager seemed resigned to the Belgian’s exit: “I want the best for Kevin,” he said, “it cannot be possible to have done these many years without him. He has been an incredible player but the situation is what it is.
“It’s almost impossible to replace this kind of player. It is not just the performance, it is what he means to the heart for our fans for many, many years. The success we have belongs to the players.”
De Bruyne, who joined City from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015, has been central to the club’s dominance in the Premier League and their first Champions League win in Europe. But the club have decided that his fitness levels are no longer enough to justify paying him £400,000 a week. De Bruyne himself has expressed disappointment in the club’s decision.
